The Invention of Wings

“There was a time in Africa the people could fly. Mauma told me this one night when I was ten years old. She said, ‘Handful, your granny-mauma saw it for herself. She say they flew over trees and clouds. She say they flew like blackbirds. When we came here, we left that magic behind.’”

This story opens the novel. Here, Handful describes the major motif of the novel: flight as freedom from bondage. Blackbirds, feathers, and wings comprise individual symbols within this motif. Handful’s journey to freedom from slavery forms the backbone of the novel, with Sarah’s journey from mental bondage to freedom mirroring Handful’s. Both women learn how to fly.

“Everything she knew came from living on the scarce side of mercy.”

Handful Grimké emphasizes that it was through defiance, pain, and tragedy that her mother gained her wisdom. Mauma tells Handful an inspiring story about rediscovering one’s wings and learning to fly again, which foreshadows Handful’s eventual journey toward freedom.

“A slave was supposed to be like the Holy Ghost—don’t see it, don’t hear it, but it’s always hovering round on ready.”

Handful describes Missus’ beliefs and expectations for the family’s slaves. This statement also alludes to Missus’ use of religion to justify slavery and her dominion over her slaves.